The Sandbox

First, hello!! Long time listener, first time caller (wait this isn't talk radio). All the same, first time poster. My name is Andy, and I'm a stay-at-home dad, opening a new online infant and toddler tee and onesie store. Currently this is where things lie--website, check. Heat press, check! IronAll paper, check! But an interesting development has occurred with the transfers. I'll explain and ask for your advise.

I received the Iron All paper about a week before the heat press. I experimented using a hand iron and got amazing results--soft and very little sign of the heat transfer in the background. My heat press has since arrived, and while I am still getting soft to the touch transfers, the transparency (I know you guys have a name for this, but it escapes me at the moment) shows in the background.

I am pressing at 375 for 25 secs. I set the pressure by placing a piece of paper in the press and adjusting so it cannot be removed.

So, where does it seems things are going askew? Pressing too hard? Too hot? Too long? Or not...any of those?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

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Jasonda

Hi Andy,

Are you trimming around the transfers? You'll need to trim around 1/8" from the edge of the design to get rid of that window.

Also, are you pre-pressing the shirts? That might make a difference.

 

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The Sandbox

I have been prepressing about 15 secs. I have also trimmed to about an 1/8 inch. The issue is in blank/clear spots in the design--i.e. text. The same design on the same shirt appears differently. The hand iron pressed disappears while heat press causes the background to show, ie within the text or the 1/8 inch.

Obviously, the issue is something with the press, but I do not know whether to press harder or softer or longer or shorter, etc.

Thanks again

 

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Jasonda

It sounds like you might need to try using more pressure.

 

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skunk

just a question myself.... when you trim to 1/8 of an inch will you still be able to see the background using a white shirt?

 

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Jasonda

Quote: Originally Posted by skunk just a question myself.... when you trim to 1/8 of an inch will you still be able to see the background using a white shirt?

Different people have different results, depending on their equipment, the way they press the shirts, and possibly the type of shirt they use. You really need to get the paper for yourself and test it out to see if it meets your requirements.

You might check out badalou's videos, he has several about IronAll.

 

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by Jasonda Different people have different results, depending on their equipment, the way they press the shirts, and possibly the type of shirt they use.

Those things all play a part, but I suspect the biggest variable is the eyeballs of the person looking at it.

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Coyote

Many of mine had a slight window that disappeared after the first wash.

...Mat

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The Sandbox

How about a more general question then--if the press is TOO HOT, how would that effect the transfer? Would it make it stiffer? Discolor the transparent background?

I'm all for tweaking and testing, but at this point I don't know which way to tweak.

 

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Jasonda

Quote: Originally Posted by The Sandbox How about a more general question then--if the press is TOO HOT, how would that effect the transfer? Would it make it stiffer? Discolor the transparent background?

Well, you'll scorch the shirt if you go too far.

The best thing to do would be to cut up a shirt and a transfer into strips, and do some tests. Increase the temp gradually by 5 degrees for each strip, and just write your notes next to the transfer with a laundry pen. You can then wash your samples and see what comes out the best.

 

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